UA a Top 15 Peace Corps University in U.S.

The UA continues to place as one of the top producers of Peace Corps volunteers in the U.S.

La Monica Everett-Haynes

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University Communications

Jan. 31, 2012

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Want to learn about getting involved in Peace Corps? An information session about Peace Corps and Teach for America will be held Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in Suite 411 of the Student Union Memorial Center. Contact Aaron Hoholik, the UA's campus recruiter, at pcorps@cals.arizona.edu or 520-621-7188.

About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries.

Aaron Hoholik, the Peace Corps recruiter at the UA, is credited with aiding in the continued success of the University's ability to consistently rank as a high producer of Peace Corp volunteers.

The University of Arizona once again received a high ranking on the annual list the Peace Corps releases indicating the nation's top producers of the organization's volunteers.

With 71 alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers, the UA ranks 13th among all large U.S. universities, earning the spot as Arizona's top producer.

This comes after last year's announcement that UA placed in another Peace Corps ranking – first in the nation for the number of Peace Corps Fellows/USA program participants.

Since Peace Corps' inception in 1961, more than 1,450 UA alumni have served in the Peace Corps, ranking 15th in the nation.

"Colleges and universities prepare thousands of talented undergraduate and graduate alumni for Peace Corps service every year," Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams said in a prepared statement.

"These alumni go on to serve as Peace Corps volunteers, applying the skills and knowledge they acquired during their studies to promote world peace and friendship and improve the lives of people around the world," Williams also noted.

Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Volunteers commit to 27 months of service with the agency.

"Every day, volunteers make countless contributions to projects in agriculture, education, the environment, health and HIV/AIDS education and prevention, small business development and youth development," Williams added.

Part of the credit for the UA's continued prominence in the Peace Corps rankings goes to Aaron Hoholik, the campus recruiter based in Career Services.

Hoholik, who served as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Chad and Benin in Africa, hosts regular information sessions and office hours in the center.

UA alumni are currently serving in 39 of the 75 countries where Peace Corps works.

Graduates of the University are working in the fields of agriculture, business, education, environment, health and youth development, with Wildcats serving in countries that include Azerbaijan, Fiji, Mongolia and Zambia.

Travis Tinney, who earned his creative writing degree from the UA in 2008, is one example of a Wildcat called to serve with the Peace Corps.

Tinney recently returned from the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan where he spent two years teaching English in a rural town.

Tinney, who is now readjusting to life in the U.S. and beginning his job search, said: "It was the best and most important decision I have ever made."

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